Economical & Eco-Friendly – the menstrual cup is a handy little tool in a woman’s health-kit helps you better connect with your body and become more in-tune with your monthly period. We cannot recommend them highly enough!

We are continuing with our series on reducing our plastic use through several small steps – simple recommendations that we can all implement at home and while out and about. Small steps that will hopefully change our mindsets about single plastic use but also significantly reduce our family plastic footprint over time.

These small steps would make a fun family project… You could document how much less recycling/rubbish you are generating on a weekly basis! If you do, send over your pictures for us to post and help encourage other families to do the same!

Step 06: On Moon Cups & Menstrual Pads

I (MiC Content Manager – Kat) have been meaning to write this post for quite some time. After having my first child more than ten years ago, I found that I no longer wanted to use tampons (and how thankful I am for that now that I know how bad they are for you) and I was really struggling with using only regular sanitary pads.

I’ve always had extremely heavy periods, but they have only got worse with age and I was starting to really dread that time of the month, especially during the summer months. And then… I discovered the Moon Cup. There are other versions, but I have only ever used this one. Some people don’t like it… I can’t live without it. No exaggeration! In fact, contrary to my aversion to claims of retail products being “life-changing”, I would say that in the case of my menstrual cup, this is pretty close to the truth – it has revolutionised my period!

I can now swim, even on a pretty heavy day, without fear of a soggy tampon (or worse) dropping out of my swimsuit on leaving the water (sorry guys for that gross image!). I don’t even need to rush across the sand after a swim to the nearest toilet either! I no longer worry about leaking – menstrual cups can be worn without pads on lighter days and with just an ordinary pad on those heavier ones.

They are clean and hygienic – you know exactly what you’re putting inside your body and are way more hygienic than using regular tampons and pads. Even if you’re a bit squeamish, I would say that these are even easier to use than tampons and pads. Better still, you can far more easily monitor your blood flow each month (how much and the type of liquid you are losing) which is a great health indicator tool.

There are loads of posts online covering the step-by-steps to using them (with pictures and videos!) so instead, I’m giving you a few of the reasons why I like (*love) mine so much:

Comfort-Zone

Once you have got used to the insertion and removal of this little silicone cup (and trimming the end to the right length for you), its comfort-level is incomparable to a tampon! I find that I can’t even feel it once it’s in. Being non-absorbent, they don’t dry you out on lighter days and you can wear them right through your period from beginning to end. No more lugging around tons of tampons and pads when you leave the house – these little cups come in a handy washable bag – far more discreet and space-saving!

Safety

Not only do they hold more liquid than a tampon (3 times more – 30ml in fact), they can be left in for up to 8 hours! Unlike tampons, you don’t have to worry about toxic-shock syndrome or any of the nasties in conventional sanitary products (the kinds of things you really don’t want to be putting inside you – bleach; phthalates; dyes; perfumes; BPA; plastics and other toxins). They’re hypo-allergenic and latex-free. You sterilise them by boiling them before and after your period and boom – you’re done.

Saving you money

Have you ever worked out how much you spend on disposable sanitary products over a year? Menstrual cups (and pads) pay for themselves within 6 – 8 months and last for YEARS! I’ve been using mine for ten years and it looks like new.

Saving the environment

Menstrual cups are eco-friendly. Nuff said.

Reusable Menstrual Pads

So, after years of using a Menstrual Cup, I decided to take the plunge and try out reusable menstrual pads as well. We’re trying to cut down on plastic waste in our house and I decided that sanitary pads were just one more way to do so.

I’ve only tried one type and am going to try some more in different sizes and thicknesses. There are hundreds to choose from – in all sizes, colours, designs and thicknesses. Contrary to what you may think, they are actually more pleasant than using regular pads – the patterned fleecy material absorbs all of the blood, so you can’t actually see it (or smell it – I am sooooo over perfumed and/or bleached-white sanitary pads!). All they require is a quick rinse and you can shove them in a net bag with your regular wash load (along with your bath towels if you prefer).

You do need well fitting knickers to keep them in place and the pads that I bought felt a bit bulky to be wearing under tight-fitting gym clothes. For now, I’m using them mostly at home – but that has cut down on a huge amount of plastic waste already. I’ll update you when I have found the right one for me!

Have any of you tried a menstrual cup or reusable pads? What are your experiences? For those of you who haven’t – what are your main worries or concerns about using them? Tell me and I’ll answer your questions to the best of my knowledge. Has anyone tried the new period-underwear? Would love to hear your thoughts on those!

Let’s start a revolution and take back the control of what we buy and consume!

It starts from home!

Please use these social media tags when sharing posts about reducing plastic use and help spread the word that change is needed.

We are continuing with our series on reducing our plastic use through several small steps – simple recommendations that we can all implement at home and while out and about. Small steps that will hopefully change our mindsets about single plastic use but also significantly reduce our family plastic footprint over time.

These small steps would make a fun family project this summer… You could document how much less recycling/rubbish you are generating on a weekly basis! If you do, send over your pictures for us to post and help encourage other families to do the same!

Step 05: Takeaway Coffee Cups

Most disposable coffee cups end up in landfills, either because they are not being recycled or, more frustratingly, because they cannot be recycled.

Although disposable coffee cups are largely made of paper, to be waterproof and able to contain liquid they are lined with a layer of plastic polyethylene. This means that they cannot be recycled in standard recycling plants and instead must be taken to special facilities. The UK, for example, only has three such places in the entire country! This means that less than 1% of the disposable coffee cups used in the UK are being recycled. Considering that their population gets through an estimated 2.5 billion cups a year, that’s a hefty number of cups ending up in the landfills that will be sticking around for quite some time!

Clear plastic coffee cups like these used for smoothies, juices and frappes are commonly used here, especially in the summer months. At least they can be more easily recycled.

Many of the smaller and independent coffee stores and cafes are now choosing to use the more expensive but far more environmentally ethical coffee cups that can more easily be recycled or composted.

Reusable coffee cups have been around for some time and are now widely accepted in most coffee houses. In fact, most larger coffee chains sell their own branded versions. It’s a small change to make to your daily routine but once you get in to the habit of bringing your own cup, you will realise what an easy change it was to make.

You can also consider taking an extra 5 minutes to slow down, rest and dine in. Or some mornings, make your own coffee at home and bring it with you and you’ll be saving money as well as the planet!

How can we campaign for less packaging from shops that we buy from here and online? For a start, we can vote with our feet and our wallets!

Let’s start a revolution and take back the control of what we buy and consume!

It starts from home!

Please use these social media tags when sharing posts about reducing plastic use and help spread the word that change is needed.